Fonte: Devon Wendell

In the headliner role, critically acclaimed, Latin Grammy winning Céu’s return to the States after an entire year away was the most anticipated moment of the evening. After the success of her debut album and her new CD Vagarosa, this 29 year-old Sao Paulo native was ready to take no prisoners in a fashion that cannot be experienced when simply hearing her songs in a local Starbucks.

Where Laquidara had a more youthful sensuality, Cèu pranced on the stage in a wildly seductive and wickedly confident manner, wearing a flowered hat and a short, tight black dress barely covering her shapely figure. Guilherme Ribeiro’s sinister, post-60’s, Sly Stone funk-drenched keyboard work cued the band and complemented Ceu’s predatory, snake-like moves. The rest of her band — Guilherme Ribeiro playing keyboards, accordion, guitar, and backing vocals, DJ Marco on scratches and samples, Lucas Martins on bass, and Samuel Fraga on drums – easily covered the wide stylistic range of Céu’s music.

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“Espaconave” fused hip-hop-flavored fusion (think Jill Scott), 70’s funk, and even reggae stylings to her samba, bossa nova and soul. On “Comandi” and “Malemolencia” it was Martins’ dub bass feeling and DJ Martin’s hip-hop scratches that wove the framework for Céu’s lush vocals and relaxed, sexy dance moves. For some listeners, Céu’s music may have come across as less than traditional. But it is the music embraced by the Brazilian youth of today — music for, among other uses, hypnotic, trance, all-night dance party grooves. And her look matches the sound in every way, leading the musical tribe with each beat-driven wiggle.

The combination of Céu’s singing, her band and her set list seemed crafted to put a spell on her devout following. “Buibuia” and “Ponteiro” displayed great accordion work by keyboardist Ribeiro, which worked perfectly with the DJ loops of Marco, and the modern soul drumming of Fraga. The ease of the group’s interplay, and Céu’s often half opened eyes and swaying body, were indulgent in all the best ways. Even her dedication to Ray Charles and Betty Carter with “Two To Tango” was so confident and relaxed that it had to work.

Finally, “Rainha,” with Céu’s take on Fela Kuti African rhythms, closed the show, wrapping this culturally diverse and sexually-charged performance in an upbeat, happy manner – a perfect ending for a colorful, entertaining evening.